The Importance Of Routinely Washing The Nose And Gargling To Prevent Respiratory Infections

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Health practitioner and educator, dr. Mery Sulastri recommends that you keep your nose and mouth clean by washing your nose and mouth to reduce the risk of getting respiratory infections, one of which is SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.

“Keep your nose and mouth clean by washing your nose and gargle. Gargling has been proven to be effective in maintaining oral hygiene as well as reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections," she said in a health webinar launched by Antara.

The nose and mouth are known to be the entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Especially for the mouth, in addition to gargling, Mery also recommends that you do a gargle. The difference with gargling will be in the throat and in the oral cavity.

"The trick (gargle), is to look up at 45 degrees and then exhale through the mouth until it sounds like a water bowl, then we throw it out (gargle water). About 15-30 seconds. This is what we have to get used to from now on,” she said.

You should also not neglect personal hygiene, especially during the current pandemic, starting from bathing, shampooing, washing hands using running water, and antibacterial or antiseptic soap because you are dealing with disease-causing germs.

Don't forget to also clean the things you bring from outside the house and apply cough etiquette while at home, for example with your elbows and then wash your hands afterward.

When leaving the house, wear a mask properly, covering the nose and mouth up to the chin, and covering the medical mask with a cloth mask (double mask) to protect your entrance from germs or viruses.

Regarding face shields, according to Mery, some people may need them, especially those whose hands can't stop themselves from holding their eyes and nose.

"Don't forget to reserve masks, special wallets to put masks, also bring hand sanitizer if there are no handwashing facilities. Make sure if there is no soap, bring your own antiseptic soap. Bring nasal spray, wet tissue, dry tissue," Mery ordered.